Saudi awards the first foreigner its highest camel contest prize

Riyadh: Among the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival winners here, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman awarded Dabbous Al-Dabbous, a Kuwait national, the Al-Shidad Award. Al-Dabbous became the first non-Saudi citizen to win the prize, Arab News reported. The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, a festival of entertainment with cultural and economic aspects, is held yearly.

During the event, Camel Club directors' board chairman Fahd bin Hithleen related how camels have deep roots in the establishment of the Saudi state. He lauded the royal family for their support towards the festival. He added that the market for camels has increased due to a rise in interest in Saudi's heritage.

Fahd said that the popularity of the event increased and pointed out that many business people had taken part in the race events in the festival. He also highlighted the non-Saudian contesting in the latest edition of the event.

International Camel Organization, Dr Mubarak Al-Suwailem, lauded the Saudi administration in promoting research, publishing material, supporting studies etc., on camels. Meanwhile, he told Arab News about the organisation's decision to work with various international bodies like the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, UNESCO, the European and North American Camel Farm Owners Associations, and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. He added that his organisation is going to set up centres globally to monitor the camel sector.

A journalist specialising in camel competitions, Nafel Al-Subaie, said that there are broad opportunities for investing in the camel sector. Camel competitions are gathering much popularity now, attracting tourists and nationals, he added.